2. The Teacher

Remember back in school when you had that teacher who was so inspiring that it totally changed the way you interacted with a certain subject?

That’s the power a teacher has.

A great teacher can inspire you to heights beyond which you didn’t think possible.

A crappy teacher can sour you on a subject (unfortunately).

Make sure you get a good feeling about your yoga teacher.

Check out reviews if they have any. If you’ve taken classes with them already, do you want to go deeper with them into yoga?

In the end, it’s best to make a decision with your intuition on this one. You’re probably a good judge of people.

3. Theme of Retreat

What do you want in your retreat?

It’s a good idea to truly ask yourself this question. What am I looking to get out of this retreat.

If you want to just relax by the beach, you definitely don’t want to choose a weight loss retreat or one that includes hiking in the mountains.

You might want to go deeper into your practice, unplug from the craziness, recharge your batteries, be inspired to start a daily routine, lose weight, learn more about a certain yoga style, or just chill out.

Whatever it is you want, make sure the retreat is in alignment with that.

You’ll be spending real quality time with people who resonate with the same things, and true friendships can come out of a retreat.

4. Price

We pay for the things we value most.

When we truly want something, we always find a way to make it happen. If you’re working so hard, you deserve a vacation that will truly bring you back to center.

It’s not always advisable to go for a cheap yoga retreat just because it seems more affordable. It’s best to choose exactly what you want and find a way to make that happen.

That being said, it’s important to double-check whether the retreat price includes lodging and food. Most do, but you never want to assume…

Remember the cost of your flight ticket as well.

Here’s a nice tip: some retreats can be cheaper in the low season when not so many tourists are in the area.

Another money saving tip: some retreats offer camping options for lodging, which can give a nice price saving. If you’re the outdoorsy type, this might be a nice option for you.

8. The Program

Ask yourself how important is it to have meditation included. Do you want to learn more through lectures? Is chanting and singing kirtan a must for you?

Evaluate the actual program of the retreat to see if it matches what you’d like your schedule to be.

9. Food

One of the best things about yoga retreats can be the delicious (usually) vegetarian food. If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, you can check the proposed menu of the retreat.

A yoga retreat or detox can be a great way to start new eating habits, and lose some unneeded weight in the process.

Having a week of exercise, nurturing, and healthy eating can do wonders for the natural health of the system. It can be an opportunity to step into a healthier interaction with food…

Or just a delicious week of tasting local cuisine that you can’t wait to eat (because you’ve been thinking about it for the entire practice).

10. Size of Retreat (people)

If you want a lot of personal attention from the teachers, it’s better to go for a retreat with smaller numbers of people.

If you want to make friends and aren’t bothered by a large group, then you don’t really have to concern yourself with the size.

Some people are troubled by larger groups and yoga retreats can have anywhere from 3 - 50+ people in them. 10-25 is often a nice sweet spot that brings a variety of people, without being too overwhelming.

11. Cancellation Policy

Most retreat centers differ in their cancelation policies.

It’s standard to require a deposit of at least 15%, and often up to 50%. Because retreat centers want to fill their retreats, they will often put a cut off date for when they will give a refund.

This can be anywhere from 0 days to 3 months, so make sure to read the cancelation policy of your desired retreat very carefully.

It’s no fun for anyone if this is skimmed over and misunderstandings occur.

Double and triple check to make sure you understand it correctly.

12. Have Fun!

Can’t forget this one right??

You’re planning an absolutely awesome time in your life and the planning process can be super fun too.

Dreaming of all the wonderful times you’ll have, the people you’ll meet, the inner relief you’ll feel.